Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in American Samoa

Discounted hotel in Independent Samoa

If you are on Tutuila and planning to go to Independent Samoa but have not yet made your hotel arrangements and are willing to rent a room sight unseen, you might want to consider the Hotel Insel Fehman. If so, contact Hope Kruse at 733-7506 and talk to her about prices at the Hotel Insel. You will have to arrange to meet her (usually at her mother's store, the Pelene in Pavaiai) to pay for your room. She is a very nice lady and to the best that I can estimate, I saved $20 per night by paying her in advance.She also noticed my limp and arranged for me to get in to see a VA doctor (Yes, I am a veteran.) before I left for Apia. I had taken a taxi out to her village but she had one of her workers, a very nice young Tongan man, transport me to the VA Clinic. I hate to try to imagine how much more I would have suffered and how much worse the infection might have gotten had I not seen that VA doctor. As I said in my intro, the Samoan people are truly wonderful people. Thank you, Mrs. Kruse!!!

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Budget Travel

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The Manu'a Islands

VT does not even recognize the existence of the Manu'a Islands so these amazingly beautiful little islands about 60 miles (100 km) east of Tutuila must be off the beaten path. Ignoring the fact that one of these islands (Ta'u) was where I contracted one of the most troublesome infections of my life, these are three of the most remote and beautiful islands you could hope to encounter in the Pacific. Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u may be separate islands, but their environments all share the same marvellous characteristics: enormous cliffs sheltering sea-bird colonies; expired volcanic cones; undisturbed beaches that flow into lagoons stocked with a brilliant array of coral; and a sense of timelessness that makes watches seem completely redundant. The Manu'a Islands make the laid-back pace of life on Tutuila seem just about chaotic by comparison, so when you visit, pack plenty of extra reading material, a willingness to fall asleep in the middle of the day, and PLENTY of insect repellent.

There is an airport at Va'oto on Ofu but it was closed (indefinitely) during my visit so the most reliable and convenient way to reach the Manu'a Islands is via airplane to Fiti'uta on Ta'u. There are no established plane or boat services between individual Manu'a islands. Getting around on the islands themselves involves walking or sticking your thumb out. There's a small number of vehicles on the islands and few drivers will pass a walker without offering a lift.Travel between Ta'u and the other two Manu'a islands is haphazard at best. From time to time there are boats going from Ta'u which may be willing to accommodate a few passengers, but do not count on finding one. There is a bridge between Ofu and Olosega so if you can reach one you are fairly well set to visit both.

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Beaches

Diving and Snorkeling

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The Manu'a Islands

VT does not even recognize the existence of the Manu'a Islands so these amazingly beautiful little islands about 60 miles (100 km) east of Tutuila must be off the beaten path. Ignoring the fact that one of these islands (Ta'u) was where I contracted one of the most troublesome infections of my life, these are three of the most remote and beautiful islands you could hope to encounter in the Pacific. Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u may be separate islands, but their environments all share the same marvellous characteristics: enormous cliffs sheltering sea-bird colonies; expired volcanic cones; undisturbed beaches that flow into lagoons stocked with a brilliant array of coral; and a sense of timelessness that makes watches seem completely redundant. The Manu'a Islands make the laid-back pace of life on Tutuila seem just about chaotic by comparison, so when you visit, pack plenty of extra reading material, a willingness to fall asleep in the middle of the day, and PLENTY of insect repellent.

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Diving and Snorkeling

Beaches

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Find your own beach

All beaches are private and usually belong to the village next to them. It is best to ask the neighbors and usually they will say yes. This beach is in Avaio Village in the eastern part of Tutuila and was called 2 dollar beach when we were there. The family always charged 2 dollars per person to use the beach. Maybe now it is $5 beach :)The US government maps call this Lion's Head Rock, but Ian calls it Pyramid Rock.The village matai (chief) Sala said it was just the rock at 2 dollar beach. Maybe another name would be the Giant Chia Pet Rock!Photo is by permission from Ian Osborn, http://www.pacific-travel-guides.com

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Family Travel

Budget Travel

Diving and Snorkeling

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Cool water

After a few days -- or maybe right away!-- you may realize that it never gets cool in Samoa. The afternoon rain is like a warm shower, and indeed the downburst are just as strong sometimes. The are two places to get cool, in the deep ocean water off the reef or in a shaded mountain waterfall.

There are several trails, some official through the park system, and some jsut old paths everybody knows about.

A walk up Matafao Mountain can end in a waterfall over black volcanic rock into a cool pool.

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Hiking and Walking

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The Manu'a Islands

Almost all the people I had spoken to about American Samoa prior to going had only been to Pago Pago (Tutuila island). Therefore, the much better gems of the Manu'a islands remain largely unvisited by tourists, businesspeople or even Samoans themselves (unless they have family there). Therefore you're likely to have the fantasic Ofu Beach all to yourself and can take long, quiet walks and hikes around Ofu, Olusega and Ta'u.

An example day that I experienced: Walking to Ofu Beach accompanied by two friendly dogs, snorkelling and swimming amid forests of coral without another human soul in sight, walking all the way to the bridge between Ofu and Olusega, then making my way back to the lodge at dusk while massive fruit bats took to the skies above me.

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Diving and Snorkeling

National/State Park

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Lake Lanoto'o the Goldfish...

Lake Lanoto'o the Goldfish lake in the middle of Upolu. We took a cabfrom downtown and then had to hike 2 hours to it, but it was worth it. no one else was there and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. tHe lake is a brilliant pea green, and there are goldfish, no one know how they got there. The lake is a crater lake formed out of an old volcano so no one knows how deep it is, you lose the botton just feet from shore. The lake has alternating warm and cold currents which are erie but cool. I cannot recommend making a day to go here!!

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The north shore of Tutuila...

The north shore of Tutuila Island is well worth the trouble you'll encounter getting there!!

and PLEASE if you visit American Samoa, get thee out to Manua!! There's a very small B&B (and that's a very loose definition) there that you'll never forget!!! See the picture here to get an idea. This is part of the US National Park system and the only US National Park south of the equator.